White House fires back at Republicans over defense spending bill: Biden administration claims diversity gives U.S. a 'strategic advantage' as they demand GOP drop 'anti-woke' cuts and the push to reinstate unvaccinated troops

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The White House is firing back at Republicans over a number of provisions contained with the annual defense spending bill that would roll back 'woke' priorities of the administration and push to reinstate over 8,000 terminated service members for refusing the COVID vaccine.

In a statement of administration policy released Monday, the White House said it is looking forward to working with Congress to pass the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), but had a number of 'concerns' it demands be addressed prior to final passage. The House Rules Committee is set to take up the bill this week and then move the legislation to the floor for a full body vote before it heads to the Senate.

Rep. Jim Banks, who chairs who chairs the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, took issue with the White House's specific complaints about a series of amendments he led - and passed out of committee - that would 'offer redress' to service members who were 'unjustly discharged' by requiring the Pentagon to set up a reinstatement process and ensure no negative retaliation. 

'This is not about science or public health, the White House's opposition to reinstating service members willing and able to serve our country is nothing more than an attempt to punish religious people and conservatives,' Banks, R-Ind., told DailyMail.com in an exclusive statement.

A member of the U.S. Navy receives the COVID-19 vaccine

Rep. Jim Banks, who chairs who chairs the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, took issue with the White House's specific complaints about a series of amendments he led

'It's shameful and dangerous during a time of record low recruitment,' he added.

Over 8,000 service members - many who sought religious exemptions - were fired for refusing to comply with the Pentagon's COVID-19 vaccine mandate enacted in August 2021. Following outrage, the FY 2023 NDAA passed last December terminated the mandate, but it did not reinstate service members who were fired for not receiving the shot nor provide any other compensation. 

However, the administration made it clear this week that it opposes those protections for terminated troops included in the FY 2024 NDAA by Banks.

Specifically, the White House rejected the Republican-led push to make it easier for the Pentagon to re-hire terminated service members and establish a procedure to have unvaccinated troops' discharge statuses changed - in order to pave the way for quick reinstatement.

Banks' office says their amendments would require the secretary of defense to prioritize vaccine refusers' request to have their discharge statuses changed, so that the wait period will be significantly decreased. 

'The proposed language would prevent the Secretary from taking appropriate action in the future should a new strain of COVID-19 again require vaccination for force health protection,' said the White House in response, adding that it would also have a 'negative budgetary impact.'

The administration explained that the amendments would improperly place the review of petitions for unvaccinated fired troops above the consideration of service members with issues including 'military sexual trauma, PTSD related to military service, and matters related to pay and benefits.'

The White House also pushed back on the Republican-backed provision that would prevent unvaccinated students at military service academies to be forced to pay back the cost of their tuition. 

It would set a 'dangerous precedent' that not following lawful orders is an 'option' for service members, said the memo, 'which will be deleterious to good order and discipline as well as unit cohesion.'

Current and former troops have also expressed concerns to DailyMail.com, saying that the Republican-led amendments to the FY 2024 NDAA are not strong enough to undo the 'serious harassment' they endured over the last two years. 

Some have expressed concerns that the U.S. Coast Guard is not considered a 'covered armed force' and wouldn't be afforded the protections outlined in the Banks amendments. 

However, a spokesperson for Banks' office said the USCG will be included in the final version of the bill through a floor amendment after it is approved by the House Rules Committee this week.

In addition, the White House outlined a number of issues it has with the Republican push to roll back 'woke' diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) administration priorities in the military.

It would set a 'dangerous precedent' that not following lawful orders is an 'option' for service members, said the White House memo

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin enacted a sweeping COVID vaccine mandate in August 2021 

'The Administration strongly opposes the House's sweeping attempts...to eliminate the Department's longstanding DEIA efforts and related initiatives to promote a cohesive and inclusive force,' the memo states.

'We rely on diverse perspectives, experiences, and skillsets to remain a global leader, deter war, and keep our nation secure,' the White House continued, calling it a 'strategic advantage' for the United States.

The administration suggested that without a diverse fighting force, the military will suffer from a negative work environment. 

Banks' amendment bans the Pentagon from 'taking into account race and gender during their recruiting processes' and also prohibit the use of racial quotas.

It also sets a pay cap for officials within the Pentagon working on DEI issues. 

'The Biden DoD's indefensible race and gender-based treatment of servicemembers is making our military weaker and our nation less safe,' Banks said about the provisions to counter the Biden administration's DEI push.

In addition, Republicans have accused the administration of pushing out-of-touch woke policies to the detriment of military 'readiness.'

William Bee, a former Marine who deployed to Afghanistan four times, told DailyMail.com previously that the only changes made to the military should be to 'increase lethality.'

'Everything else is dross,' Bee said in response to the rise of the military's woke push.